Questions and reports related to Sierra Nevada current and forecast conditions, as well as general precautions and safety information. Trail conditions, fire/smoke reports, mosquito reports, weather and snow conditions, stream crossing information, and more.

This year will hopefully be better than the past few, but I'm posting this just in case. Please report back here if you know of any fires or encounter smoky conditions during a recent trip to the Sierra.

The CAL FIRE map below displays general locations of major fires burning in the High Sierra Nevada and throughout the state of California. Fire locations are approximate.

Here we go, the first one, let's hope there will not be a lot of these, luckily it was contained quickly.

SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, Calif. June 16, 2017 – A vehicle fire was reported this afternoon in Sequoia National Park, approximately one-quarter mile south of the popular vista location Ampitheatre Point. The fire then spread into the grass upslope of the vehicle. An immediate full-suppression response was initiated.

Law enforcement and fire personnel from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Cal Fire, and Tulare County responded to the incident. Vehicle traffic was halted in both directions between the Giant Forest Museum and Hospital Rock to facilitate ground and helicopter firefighting efforts. Crews made swift progress, and the fire was reported contained as of 3:00 pm at one-tenth of an acre. The Generals Highway has been reopened to vehicle traffic.

The cause of the vehicle fire is under investigation. No injuries have been reported in connection with this incident.

A wildfire has forced the temporary closure of Highway 178 southwest of Lake Isabella. The Highway Fire, discovered at 2:22 p.m., has burned an estimated 1000 acres on the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest. Traffic is being detoured onto Highway 218, east of Highway 178. Black Gulch Campground North was closed due to the fire, there are no evacuations in place at this time.
Resources on scene include 6 air tankers, 4 air attack planes, 5 helicopters, 13 hand crews, 20 engines, 2 water tenders, and 4 dozers. Personnel from the Bureau of Land Management and Kern County Fire Department are assisting the U.S. Forest Service in fire suppression activities. The cause of the Highway Fire is under investigation.

The Highway Fire, reported at 1422 hours on June 18th has burned an estimated 1541 acres on the Kern River Ranger District, Sequoia National Forest. Containment is currently at 20 percent. Highway 178 has been reopened.. Black Gulch Campground North was closed due to the fire, there are no evacuations in place at this time.

Resources on scene include 4 air tankers, 7 helicopters, 22 hand crews, 23 engines, 3 water tenders, and 5 dozers. Personnel from the Bureau of Land Management and Kern County Fire Department are assisting the U.S. Forest Service in fire suppression activities. The South Central Sierra Interagency Management Team assumed command at 0600 hours this morning.The cause of the Highway Fire remains under investigation.

Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member:http://reconn.org

Inyo National Forest fire crews are responding to the Diaz Fire, located along the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada southwest of Lone Pine, at approximately 9,000 feet in elevation.

The fire is estimated to be five acres and is actively burning in steep, rugged terrain. It is burning in mixed conifer and mountain mahogany. There are currently no threats to life or property. However, it is highly visible from the Highway 395 near Lone Pine.

Three engines, one crew and various other overhead resources are responding.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Professional Sierra Landscape Photographer

I don't give out specific route information, my belief is that it takes away from the whole adventure spirit of a trip, if you need every inch planned out, you'll have to get that from someone else.

Have a safer backcountry experience by using the HST ReConn Form 2.0, named after Larry Conn, a HST member:http://reconn.org

Firefighters worked through extreme temperatures yesterday and were successful in increasing containment lines. Interior burning of vegetation was observed within the fire perimeter throughout the evening. Crews will continue to construct control lines along the eastern flank of the fire.

Rancheria Road will be closed due to fire operations. Highway 178 is open to traffic with only one westbound lane closed throughout the length of the fireline. Drivers are urged to use caution and watch for firefighters along the highway.

Temperatures remain above normal with lower relative humidity levels dominating the area. Extreme heat is expected to stay in the area throughout the week. Due to the heat and steep terrain firefighter safety remains a top priority during fire operations.

The Sequoia National Forest will be conducting prescribed burning operations at Camp 9 and Engineer Point today, June 21 and tomorrow June 22nd. Prescribed fires are conducted when weather, fuel moisture, and air quality conditions are within prescriptions to safely accomplish the project conditions. The prescribed burns are being conducted for the overall planning process of the fireworks presentation for Independence Day. Expect to see smoke in these areas in the early morning.

The Incident Command Post (ICP) is located at Woodrow Wallace Middle School in Isabella.

Firefighters continued handline construction and mop up operations and were able to hold and improve containment lines around the fire. In order to mitigate extreme heat exposure crews began suppression tactics during cooler early morning. Suppression repair operations have begun and excess resources are demobilizing as appropriate. There is no anticipated fire spread.

Rancheria Road is now open. Highway 178 is open to traffic with only one westbound lane closed throughout the length of the fireline. The westbound lane is anticipated to be lifted tonight at 7:00pm. Drivers are urged to use caution and watch for firefighters along the highway.

Temperatures remain above normal with lower relative humidity levels. Firefighter safety while working in extreme heat and steep terrain remains a top priority during fire operations.

The Sequoia National Forest will be conducting prescribed burning operations at Camp 9 and Engineer Point today, June 22nd. Prescribed fires are conducted when weather, fuel moisture, and air quality conditions are within prescriptions to safely accomplish the project conditions.

The South Central Sierra Interagency Incident Management Team will transition the Highway Fire to the Kernville District of the Sequoia National Forest at 7:00am on Friday, June 23rd. This is the last daily update from the team. For further information contact the Kern River Ranger District at 760-376-3781.